The Forrest Sherman-class of destroyers was established in 1955 and became a warship group of eighteen-strong led by the USS Forrest Sherman (DD-931). The types were conventionally-powered vessels intended to counter a variety of threats anticipated during the West's "Cold War" with the Soviet Union. The enemy would have utilized attack submarines, aircraft and other surface warships during an all-out war and, as such, then-modern destroyers were properly outfitted with a plethora of weapon options to suit the threat. In this way, American destroyers were capable of engaging aerial, surface and undersea threats as well as supporting offshore actions during amphibious assaults or protecting components of the main fleet. These ship types were constructed in such a way to allow them to operate independently or as part of a larger force, in deep or coastal waters. In addition to their multi-layered armament, destroyers possessed favorable speed to meet with potential threats or escape imminent danger.

The third ship in the class became the USS Barry (DD-933), named after American Revolutionary War hero Commodore John Barry, often cited as the "father of the American Navy". Barry served in the Continental Navy, forerunner to the modern USN and took part in several notable battles of the war that led to American independence. His name eventually graced the hull of no fewer than four American warships including the all-modern Arleigh Burke-class USS John Barry (DDG-52) currently in active service (2013).

USS Barry (DD-933) was ordered on December 15th, 1952 as America was fully committed to the Korean War (1950-1953). She saw her keel laid down by Bath Iron Works (Bath, Maine USA) on March 15th, 1954 to which the hull was launched to sea on October 1st, 1955 by which time the Korean War has ended in a loose armistice. The USN officially acquired the vessel on August 31st, 1956 and commissioned it in September 7th, 1956.

As a destroyer-type vessel, Barry was a compact ship built with speed in mind. Her design was still rather conventional, incorporating an unobstructed forecastle mounting one forward deck gun, a superstructure at amidships and a stern deck gun (no helicopter deck was present). Two smoke funnels completed her side profile as did a pair of high-reaching masts - the forward mounting of a complicated lattice structure and the lower, aft mast of a tripod arrangement. The bridge was set aft of the forward gun (identified by its large windows) and near the top of the superstructure, providing a good view over the bow and to the forward sides of the ship. The helm was situated at the center of the bridge with the captain residing off to the left. He was given a forward cabin to remain near the bridge. A darkened actions room was attached to the rear of the bridge holding sensitive electronics, equipment and specialists to monitor them. The vessel held living quarters for its crew of 337 that included 22 officers and 315 enlisted. Power was served through 4 x 1,200lb boilers feeding 2 x steam turbines driving 2 x shafts at the stern. Maximum speed was 32 knots while displacement measured 4,000lbs under full load.